Sunday, September 26, 2010

THE KIDS





















24x36"
oil on canvas
private collection

This has been posted before I believe, but I'm getting together some peeps work for possible portrait commissions and felt like posting it again. I was terrified, it was my first real commission, post cushy corporate gig and thank goodness the parents really liked it.

"Pugfest" today and a gourmet meal! Our hostess shopped for din-din at the new super classy ra-ta, upscale grocery/restaurants/wine uber-store in Manhattan - Eataly. We're talkin' truffle risotto here folks. She is also the Pug mom of Raz and Blu's sister/half-sister respectively as well as Samson, the king muckedy muck - he is after all the largest and oldest so he is due his props. They'll run themselves ragged while we stuff ourselves silly and sip some tasty wine chosen especially for the truffles.

Enjoy the day and thank you for visiting.

Friday, September 24, 2010

BUSH BABIES



















BUSH BABIES
14" x 11" (35.6cm x 28.0cm)
graphite on paper
$85 plus $15.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.



In an effort to be a tad more productive I thought it might be a nice idea to post something, so I sat down and found something I wanted to draw before having a seat in front of the canvas today. I am in the middle of 4 different paintings right now, but if I upload a "progress" post on one of them, it's tantamount to the kiss of death for said painting, so I think I'll just go ahead and finish them all before posting instead.

These little chubbettes were snapped while viewing a documentary. The lines of their intertwined bodies along with the roundness of their plump little limbs just made for an irresistible composition. I'm going to get back to drawing and even get the "floating faces" done for the few brave souls who sent their images. Thank you so much for sending them and I do apologize for taking so long.

Garage cleanup is our focus this weekend. That and another Pugfest at the cousins' house. Just watching four little chubby butts and eight little old-man bowed legs runnin around after each other till they drop is a treat I'm so looking forward to.

Happy weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

A WEBSITE REFRESHED
























My new home page at suzanneberry.com


I'm not a big fan of embedded commercials, but, I just had to share my experience with my web host, Yahoo! I purchased a flash template last year for my home site because it needed an update. This meant that my uploaded files would be managed by staff the flash template folks employed. This also meant that whenever I needed to add to or delete content, I was forced leave it to the the template technicians, and that cost was not included in the initial purchase. So, for the last six months or so, realizing that I not only had fallen out of like with the design, the site itself was woefully behind in showcasing my current work. And so I began my search for a solution. I'll admit to being somewhat severely electronically challenged, so the prospect of looking for a solution that would give me control of content seemed a gargantuan task of biblical proportions.

I'll try to keep this short, although that prospect is becoming a dim possibility at this point.

I went to my email and followed the thread to small business help, typed in my message and asked to be contacted. My phone rang almost immediately! Sort of startled me actually, the speed with which the outside world can intrude into ones' cozy little lair, even if it was at my own request. I was guided, by a patient and friendly technician, to a page where I could choose a design for my site, write the content, upload my work to a slide show and publish all by myself! It took me one full day! I hit the publish button last night. I was astonished!

And I can access my site and control the content whenever it suits my needs! I say a big fat bravo to Yahoo! for being so proactive and user friendly. The mere fact that I was speaking to a human within almost seconds of seeking one out was like a breath of fresh air on a stifling hot day in this age of extensively long and complicated recorded messages. I should also point out that, as soon as I was on the phone and listening intently to his directions, there was a resounding knock at the door and another call was beeping in simultaneously! Why does that happen? I don't think someone has knocked on the front door or beedped in for months!

Please visit and check it out if you'd like. www.suzanneberry.com. I wasn't bowled over by the design choices but I found one that I was somewhat happy with with only a few changes. The work is everything that is on my blog, but at least now first time visitors can easily view my gallery and it will be kept current! I really think all this tidying is having a really far reaching affect. I realized I was waiting for Tim to solve this problem. I'm grateful I took action and did it myself, it is after all my business. He, I'm glad to report, is very proud of me.

Also, if cleaning your brushes is the bain of your existence give the BrushMate Power Brush Cleaner a try. It's moderately priced and works like a charm, the only drawback being the cleaning fluid is pretty costly and needs replacing frequently. Still, it's worth it to me, cleaning brushes can sometimes take me an hour and I hate doing so with the heat of a thousand white hot suns.

If it seems I'm trying to whine less about being cursed (I'm being sarcastic here) with the truly painful need to create art everyday in the warmth and safety of my own home, you're right. It's time to be grateful and enjoy my gift. One day at a time right?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

SEPTEMBER MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE
























SULTRY
16x16" oil on canvas
SOLD

It's that time again! As usual I want to do more on this, I usually don't leave the paint strokes looking so casual, but it dawned on me that I've been wanting my work to look more painterly so why not leave it looking that way. Yep! Figured that out all by myself!

Still, I feel like it looks sloppy. Why, when I see other artist's works that have that fresh, spontaneous feel, do I think them perfect, but when I try to do the same I feel it's looks unfinished? Painting dysmorphic syndrome rears it's ugly head yet again.

The challenge this month, given to the group by new member Elizabeth Blaylock, is to "do a painting with a red, red violet or red orange color dominance."

Enjoy:












“Arrangement on Red”
6x6” oil on panel
Elizabeth Blaylock
©2010 Elizabeth Blaylock
http://elizabethblaylock.blogspot.com/













“Red Pitcher on Blue Cloth” 
Oil on canvas board 8x10” 
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/















“Red Dance”
8x8” oil on paper
© 2010 Robin Cheers
http://robincheers.blogspot.com












“Red Brush”
Oil on canvas, 6x8”
©Aaron Johnson
http://www.cordellart.blogspot.com/

















“La Basilique du Val de Grace illuminĂ©e la nuit”
11x14” oil on panel
©2010 Vicki Ross
http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 10, 2010

GREENS AND REDS





















GREENS AND REDS
20" x 16" (50.8cm x 40.7cm)
oil on canvas
SOLD


I found this amongst the rubble, half finished, and felt compelled to work on it. As usual I think it needs more work but I'll put it away for awhile and see. I did this same set up a long time ago as a small daily as well.

I want to write something deeply moving about an artist I met online but I don't know how. She is going through a devastating, heartbreaking situation right now that I can hardly bear to think about and yet she finds the time and has the heart to stop by and leave cheerful messages of support. I'm humbled by this incredibly brave woman and her husband. Her situation puts all of my whining and depression so in perspective.

I want to wish you and your husband all luck and love in the world and I hope and I pray with all of my heart that a solution is forthcoming for you both. I don't know what else to say.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

WAITIN FOR DAD and the clean-up continues



















NFDP

Having been told that he's on his way, the boys wait patiently at the front door for dad's car to pull in the drive. Such incredible little heads, even from behind. I know Tim doesn't have furry feet, but these two little creatures are, for all intents and purposes, his babies. Yeah, I know, we're gettin into a weird area here, but, really, he is besotted with his two boys, as am I. They are beyond delightful and to all pug moms and dads I'd just like to say...I get it. If I knew them better at the time, I wouldn't have done so much whining when they were pups. I think.

Anyway they continue to amaze and delight. Lately, we've had to resort to spelling out key words like "out," "pee-pee," and "hungry," for our own safety. The other night, hoping to keep two 20-25 pound pugs from literally landing on his chest after hearing the desired word or phrase, Tim asked me if I thought they were— h -u - n- g- r- y— yet. They were at the end of the bed, lazin' about when suddenly, without warning— they pounced! He looked at me, incredulous..."What, they can spell now?" Looks like.

Raz continues to have health issues. He's scratched his right eye and has an ulcer in his left. We're applying and administering antibiotics and considering goggles for Christmas. But with each and every little issue that pops up our love for them just grows and grows.

Ok, enough cheese. The cleaning continues. I got stalled there for a bit and did a lot of wandering around, heavy sighing and yes, believe it or not, feeling sorry for myself. Odd that, considering I bought, ordered, had delivered or carried in every single thing choking the remaining closets and congesting the garage. Arrrgh!










This is what's behind curtain number one...the before and after version...in the studio that I never use. Still working upstairs but as things get tidy I think I have a good shot at actually using this room!

I've got 3 paintings due in less than a week and as usual am waaaay behind. I appreciate your comments, patience and support so much. Thank you for stopping by.